Be a Short-Term Missionary to Abused and Neglected Children

“When my father and my mother forsake me,
then the LORD will take care of me.”  Psalm 27:10

Camp Alandale is a Christian camp ministry to children and youth ages 9 through 18 who have suffered violence, sexual abuse or neglect.  These children may be shuffled among emergency shelters, group homes and several foster homes until they either emancipate at age 18 or become adopted.  Located in the mountains of Southern California, Camp Alandale is an opportunity for you to be part of a missionary outreach ministry.  Camp Alandale’s fun, action packed program quickly breaks down barriers and cements friendships with these precious youngsters, who hunger for and accept the grace and unconditional love of Jesus Christ.  They are invited back to summer and winter camps at Alandale every year until they emancipate from the system at age 18, thus providing continuity in their spiritual growth.  For many children Camp Alandale is the only continual Christian influence during their developing years.  Here are a few of the many ways you can become part of this vital ministry.
       Counselors:  Each volunteer adult Christian counselor mentors one or at most two campers.  You spend quality time with your camper, counseling and helping him or her learn valuable lessons such as the healing power of forgiveness.  You conduct Bible lessons with your camper, and sometimes may be the only Christian mentor they will know during their young lives. 
       Junior Counselors:  Volunteer Christian youth of ages 16 to 21 quickly become role models and pals to the campers.  Junior Counselors are the backbone of camp operations, adding to the fun and excitement for the campers.  In addition, they perform many of the tasks necessary for the camp program to function. 
       Staff:  Camp directors and other staff are missionaries who each receive at least 50 percent of their support from their home churches and individual Christian supporters.  Staff members are selected from workers who have volunteered with the camp ministry for two years, and who have demonstrated a God-given passion for the ministry. 
       Prayer Support:  You can sign up to receive a Quarterly Report with Praise Reports and Prayer Requests for the campers and staff.  You can also form a Prayer Support Group within your church or community.  As a Prayer Group Coordinator you pass along to your group members the first names of campers and names of staff members with specific prayer needs before each camp session.  Prayer support is essential for the spiritual warfare being waged over these precious young souls. 
       Financial Support:  Camp Alandale is provided at no charge to the children, social services, and court appointed guardians.  Camp operations and expenses are funded entirely by donations from churches, individuals and charitable foundations.  The $300 in annual expenses to bring each individual camper to summer and winter camp sessions is provided through the loving generosity of our Christian supporters.  No government funds are accepted, so that the gospel of Jesus Christ will not be compromised. 
       Work Teams:  On scheduled work days in the spring, teams from area churches converge at Camp Alandale to do repairs and construction projects, and prepare the grounds and facilities for the summer camp season.  On Labor Day weekend the work teams gather again to prepare camp for the winter season and work on new or continuing projects. 
       Building Projects:  Camp Alandale currently operates at its permanent facility in Idyllwild and at a rented facility in Julian.  The need is tremendous, and our hearts ache for the many children our limited staff and facilities are unable to reach out to.  Our vision is to develop five separate camp facilities by the year 2010.  These camps will be able to serve children through the Social Services agencies of all the counties in Southern California.  The next camp to be developed will serve Riverside County.  A team of Camp Directors and Counselors are already being groomed to serve this camp.  A number of children who are referred by Orange County Social Services presently reside in Riverside County, including Murrieta and Temecula, and attend Camp Alandale now.  You can be part of the team that makes this vision become reality for abused and neglected children throughout Southern California. 

For detailed information see www.CampAlandale.org, or locally contact Don and Betty at (951) 698-1449.